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Jim Morton,
AAP
July 3, 2013,
10:31 am
Versatile back-rower Ben McCalman is a bench bolter for the Wallabies in a shock move for Saturday night's series decider against the British and Irish Lions.
Australia have confirmed McCalman will make his international return at Sydney's ANZ Stadium after failing to play a Test in 2012 due to injury.
The Western Force forward's inclusion in the 23-man squad presents an intriguing question over who else will line up in the Wallabies back-row and bench.
McCalman, who missed selection in Robbie Deans' initial 25-man squad six weeks ago, said he was covering blind-side flanker and No.8.
There have been question marks over incumbent No.8 Wycliff Palu's fitness and ability to overcome a lingering knee problem.
Veteran George Smith is also in the mix to play after overcoming a knee injury and Deans has said he wants improvement at the breakdown where young openside Michael Hooper was outpointed by Sam Warburton in the 16-15 second Test victory.
Deans may take a risk by playing six forwards and only two backs on the bench, including two back-rowers, or could possibly start with two ball-scavengers.
Queensland No.7 Liam Gill was influential when he came off the bench in Melbourne and could also be an option to start.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...mccalman-move/
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80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Lions team has been named
1. Corbisiero
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. A W Jones (c)
5. Parling
6. Lydiate
7. O'Brien
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Sexton
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. Bowe
15. Halfpenny
16. T Youngs
17 Cole
18. Vunipola
19. Gray
20. Tipuric
21. Murray
22. Farrel
23. Tuilagi
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Love to see Smith on there!
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Which will be the only Lions game I think he will have not played in.
Good selection Gats![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Looks like they are returning to the second channel crash ball with bowe, north, davies and roberts
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Read an article on twitter that says mowen is wallabies captain?
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Is going to be an interesting match this weekend I would have liked to have seen the Owen Farrell start in place of Sexton
Also feel for BOD what a fantastic servant he has been to the Lions
Pleased to see McCalman has been given a call up been awesome this season
I want to see MMM in the starting XV on Saturday
Looks like Gatland has shit himself & gone for his entire Wales back line + one Irishman!
Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!
WALLABIES TEAM TO PLAY THE LIONS
1. Benn Robinson.
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill ©
5. Kane Douglas
6. Ben Mowen
7. George Smith
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Will Genia
10. James O’Connor
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Israel Folau
15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Saia Faingaa
17. James Slippper
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ben McCalman
21. Michael Hooper
22. Nick Phipps
23. Jesse Mogg
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
tough on Hooper and Gill but you need Smith in there.
They will be going Ape Shit over east about McCalman on the bench, they don't rate him at all. Personally I would have preferred MMM instead of Simmons and then another back on the bench.
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Hooper played as a back for the end of game one if my blurry memory serves me correct.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
yeah he went to 12 when Lilo McCabe and Barnes all ended there night on a stretcher.
The very next play after Hooper moved to 12 Cuthbert went through the 10/12 channel and scored a tryhopefully he wont be needed there this week. Smith has played ost of Centre in Japan i think aswell so maybe he could cover.
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.